GJA raises alarm over escalating attacks and threats against journalists

By Sandra Agyeiwaa OTOO

Attacks on journalists in Ghana are no longer isolated incidents but an emerging pattern, raising serious concerns about press freedom, accountability and the rule of law.

From alleged assaults by security officers to death-threats linked with conflict reporting, media practitioners increasingly face danger while carrying out constitutionally guaranteed duties.

Against this backdrop, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has issued a firm warning to state institutions, security agencies and political actors demanding accountability, protection and an end to what it describes as a growing culture of impunity against journalists.

These concerns were outlined by President-Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Albert Dwumfour at a press conference held in Accra, where he addressed recent attacks, emerging threats and institutional responses to violence against journalists across the country.

“We convened this press conference to update you on our last engagement with you about the spate of attacks against journalists – particularly the brutal assault on Class FM reporter Samuel Addo at Kasoa,” he stated.

“This briefing also addresses new and equally disturbing incidents of attacks, threats and intimidation against journalists across the country,” he added.

Update on assault of Class FM journalist Samuel Addo

Samuel Addo, a journalist with the Class Media Group, was reportedly assaulted by some personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service while on duty at the Kasoa New Market on Monday, January 5, 2026.

According to him, his only crime was to record a scene where some personnel of the fire service were beating up civilians at the market.

He claimed that firemen, who were about 10 in number, started picking on him for no reason and seized the phone he was using to record the incident.

As part of this incident, the GJA president said the association welcomes a statement by President John Dramani Mahama on the interdiction of Ghana National Fire Service officers involved in the assault on Samuel Addo.

However, Mr. Dwumfour said that while the GJA acknowledges this step, it remains deeply concerned about what he described as the “deafening silence” from leadership of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS). He noted that the Fire Service Administration has, to date, failed to publicly brief the nation on the status of its internal investigations into the incident.

According to him, the Association is therefore calling on the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) administration to publicly release the findings of its investigations, clearly state actions taken against the officers involved and outline institutional measures being implemented to prevent future attacks on journalists.

He warned that further silence will be interpreted as complicity and an attempt to shield wrongdoing.

Also, he reiterated GJA’s demand for removal of the Ghana National Fire Service’s Public Relations Officer, stating that the Association’s interactions with him on the case show he is unfit to remain in charge of communication for the Service.

“We also re-echo our demand for  removal of the GNFS PRO from that position because our interactions with him on the case show he is unfit to be in charge of communication for the Fire Service,” he pointed out.

He further renewed the Association’s call on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure prosecution for all personnel involved. He stressed that internal disciplinary measures alone are insufficient, insisting that the case is criminal in nature and must be tested in a court of law to serve as a clear deterrent.

Attack on UTV and Peace FM journalist in the Eastern Region (Kukurantumi)

GJA denounces the violent attack on UTV and Peace FM Eastern Regional Correspondent Michael Akrofi, allegedly carried out by a police officer stationed at the Tafo–Kukurantumi Formed Police Unit (FPU) base in the Eastern Region on January 8th, 2026.

The journalist was legally reporting on a farmers’ demonstration over crop destruction by Fulani herdsmen and cattle when he was reportedly attacked from behind by the police officer.

Incident reports indicate the officer strangled the journalist on three separate occasions, inflicting severe pain and trauma. More troubling, the officer allegedly threatened the journalist afterward – worsening the seriousness of this incident.

Following the attack, Mr. Akrofi reported pains in his neck, back and waist and was forced to seek medical care at a health facility. The case has since been officially reported to the Eastern Regional Police Command. However, by the time of the press conference, no formal response or feedback had been given to the victim, which GJA considers unacceptable.

This violent conduct is barbaric, unprofessional and represents a serious abuse of authority. It amounts to a direct assault on press freedom and journalists’ constitutional right to operate without fear, intimidation or violence – particularly during public interest occasions such as demonstrations.

Consequently, Mr. Dwumfour said GJA demands immediate identification, arrest and prosecution of the officer – urging the IGP and Eastern Regional Command to treat the case as a criminal offence.

“GJA therefore demands the immediate identification, arrest and prosecution of the police officer involved. We call on the Inspector-General of Police and Eastern Regional Police Command to ensure that this matter is treated as a criminal offence and not merely an internal disciplinary issue. Acts of impunity by security officers against journalists must not be tolerated under any circumstances,” he stressed.

Report of assault by military personnel in Walewale – North East Region

Another troubling report recently emerged involving an unprovoked attack carried out by military personnel against a journalist in Walewale within the North East Region.

The victim, Solomon Kwame Kanaluwe – a North East Regional Correspondent for Media General and Secretary of the GJA North East Region – was attacked on Sunday, January 26, 2026 at around 3:00pm while lawfully attending to his private and professional activities in Walewale.

According to a report submitted to GJA, Mr. Kanaluwe had parked his motorcycle close to a roadside shop in town to buy basic items when he was approached by a group of military personnel already present in the area.

Without any provocation, the soldiers questioned ownership of his motorcycle and before he could properly respond, subjected him to a physical assault.

Two of the military personnel allegedly struck the journalist on the back with sticks and canes about four times, claiming he had parked at an unauthorised location. Even after Kanaluwe identified himself as a journalist the assault reportedly persisted, with the soldiers saying they did not care about his profession.

He was briefly detained and released after his phone was seized and some pictures and messages deleted from it.

This behaviour is unacceptable, unlawful and deeply disturbing. It demonstrates a dangerous disregard for the rights of civilians and journalists and erodes public confidence in the professionalism of the Ghana Armed Forces.

Mr. Dwumfour said his outfit condemns this assault in the strongest terms and urges the Military High Command to promptly investigate the incident, identify those involved and apply appropriate sanctions.

He further demands the matter be treated with the seriousness it warrants and that the victim receives protection and support. He added that attacks on journalists by military personnel, whether on duty or otherwise, are completely intolerable and must never be normalised.

It may also be recalled that on July 30, 2025, JoyNews journalist Carlos Calony of the Multimedia Group was physically attacked by armed men in military uniform while covering a demolition at the McDan Warehouse on Spintex Road, Accra.

It is regrettable the Military High Command has taken no action on that case. With the recent assault in Walewale, the credibility and public image of the military continue to suffer.

Again, Mr. Dwumfour called on the Military High Command to uphold its reputation for professionalism by taking swift and decisive action on both incidents

Threats against journalists in the Upper East Region – Bawku conflict

The Ghana Journalists Association is gravely alarmed by death-threats, incitement to violence and imminent attacks against journalists in the Upper East Region, particularly the Upper East Regional Chairman-GJA, Albert Sore, in connection with their professional coverage of the protracted Bawku conflict.

The Association considers these threats reckless, criminal and deeply dangerous, not only to the lives of journalists but also public order and national security. Journalists covering the Bawku conflict have been openly labelled enemies, subjected to coordinated online abuse and threatened with death through social media posts, voice notes and other forms of digital incitement.

This deliberate targetting of journalists has created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation that could easily escalate into mob violence if not urgently addressed.

GJA has also received a detailed incident report from Albert Sore outlining how a professional journalistic engagement was maliciously distorted and weaponised by faceless and pseudonymous actors to incite hostility and issue explicit death-threats against him and other journalists.

Similar threats have previously been directed at other media practitioners covering the Bawku conflict, pointing to a disturbing and recurring pattern of intimidation aimed at silencing the media.

While the Association acknowledges the initial engagement and collaboration with the Upper East Regional Police Command, they remain concerned that the persistence of these threats suggests existing measures are insufficient.

GJA therefore demands sustained police protection for affected journalists, expedited investigations into all reported threats and the identification, arrest and prosecution of all individuals and networks involved in issuing threats or inciting violence against journalists.

The GJA president called on Ghana Police Service to publicly reaffirm in clear and unambiguous terms that threats or attacks against journalists will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Any harm to a journalist in the course of duty, particularly where prior threats have been reported, will represent a grave failure of protection and accountability.

The National Executive has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on threats against journalists in the Upper East Region for his intervention.

GJA reiterates that journalists are performing a constitutional duty in the national interest. Attempts to intimidate, silence or endanger them in the context of the Bawku conflict are unacceptable and must be confronted decisively by the state.

The Association formally designates the Bawku conflict area as an early warning zone for press safety, requiring heightened vigilance, proactive security deployment and continuous engagement with media practitioners on the ground.

Mr. Dwumfour warned: “We therefore put the state on notice that any attack on a journalist in the Upper East Region, particularly where prior threats have been formally reported, will be treated as a direct failure of protection and attract sustained national and international advocacy until accountability is secured”.

Furthermore, he reiterated his call for sustained protection, expedited investigations and the arrest and prosecution of all persons issuing threats or inciting violence against journalists.

Commendation for Ghana Police Service

The GJA acknowledged recent improvements in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service and commended the Police Administration for engaging in journalists’ safety.

The Association urged the Police to strengthen this cooperation and ensure that any rogue officers tarnishing the Service’s reputation are promptly held accountable.

However, the recent Tafo–Kukurantumi attack has strained this positive relationship and GJA called on the Police to act quickly and reassure journalists of their safety to restore trust.

NPP presidential primary and safety of journalists

GJA reiterated its call on leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to take full responsibility for ensuring journalists’ safety during the upcoming presidential primary to select a flagbearer.

The Association urged the party to publicly warn supporters against attacking, intimidating or obstructing journalists covering the event, stressing that political competition must never turn into violence against the media.

GJA confirmed it will actively monitor the election nationwide and name and shame any individuals or groups which assault journalists during the process.

GJA red lines  – non-negotiable standards for journalist safety

In light of the escalating threats and attacks, the Ghana Journalists Association has set out some red lines which must never be crossed under any circumstances.

No journalist must be assaulted, arrested, threatened or obstructed for performing lawful professional duties, whether by state security officers, political party supporters or private individuals.

No security agency is permitted to confiscate journalists’ equipment, delete content or demand permission for coverage of events of public interest.

No reported threat against a journalist must be ignored or treated casually. All threats must trigger immediate risk assessment, protection and investigation.

Internal disciplinary measures alone are unacceptable where criminal conduct against journalists has occurred. Such cases must be prosecuted in open court.

Silence by institutions after attacks on journalists is unacceptable and will be interpreted as tolerance for impunity. GJA says it will vigorously pursue accountability for any violation of these red lines and will not hesitate to escalate matters to national and international partners where necessary.

GJA’s demands

In light of the foregoing, the Ghana Journalists Association demanded a public release of the investigation findings and sanctions by the Ghana National Fire Service. The Association gave the Fire Service a 14-day ultimatum to comply, warning that failure to act will prompt drastic measures – including blacklisting.

Secondly, GJA demands the immediate arrest and prosecution of the police officer involved in the Kukurantumi assault.

Thirdly, they demand adequate police protection for journalists under threat; particularly in the Upper East Region.

Fourthly, they demand clear directives from all security services prohibiting the assault, obstruction or intimidation of journalists.

They also demanded firm political party commitments to protect journalists during all political activities, including internal elections.

Finally, they demanded immediate investigation, arrest and prosecution of the military officers involved in the Walewale assault.

Mr. Dwumfour concluded that attacks on journalists are attacks on Ghana’s democracy. GJA will not be intimidated from demanding justice and protection and will publicise inaction locally and internationally to ensure accountability and uphold press freedom.

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